Washington Post has reported two shooters, including at least one in military clothing, have been involved in the attack at the US Navy Yard base

A U.S. Park Police helicopter removes a man in a basket from the Washington Navy Yard

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At least six people have died in the Washington Navy Yard shootings, navy officials said.

Two gunmen are believed to have wounded as many as ten others in the attack. One of gunman involved in the incident has been confirmed dead by police.

The Washington Post has reported that two shooters, including at least one in military clothing, have been involved in the attack at the US Navy Yard base on the Potomac River.

It said officers claimed at least one of the shooters was “down,” but it was unclear whether that meant the suspect had been arrested or shot.

One remains at large, and police believe they have pinned down one between the third and fourth floors of one of the buildings on the site.

The navy said shots were fired in the building where about 3,000 people work. People inside the building were ordered to take cover where they stood. Streets in the area were closed.

The shooter has been ’contained’ but is not in custody, one official said, confirming that some of his victims had died.

A US Park Police helicopter removes a man in a basket from the Washington Navy Yard

Naval Sea Systems Command is the largest of the Navy’s five system commands and accounts for a quarter of the Navy’s entire budget. It builds, buys and maintains the Navy’s ships and submarines and their combat systems.

The White House said president Barack Obama was aware of the shootings. A spokesman said:

“The president has been briefed several times about the unfolding situation at the Washington Navy Yard by assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism Lisa Monaco and deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco.

“The president directed his team to stay in touch with our federal partners, including the Navy and FBI, as well as the local officials. We urge citizens to listen to the authorities and follow directions from the first responders on site.”

Police work the scene in Washington, where a gunman was reported at the Washington Navy Yard

Ed Buclatin, that public affairs chief for the Navy Installations Command sent a tweet saying: ``four killed and eight injured'' at the Navy Yard.

Two witnesses told CNN affiliate station WJLA that they heard a fire alarm go off in the building where they worked, then saw a man with a rifle down the hallway as they exited the building.

People frantically tried to run out of the building, Mr Brundidge said.

“Everyone was going down the stairs. They were pushing. They were shoving. People were falling down,” he told WJLA. “As we came outside, people were climbing the wall trying to get over the wall to get out of the spaces. It was just crazy.”